Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an aromatic herb with dark green leaves that is collected fresh and is used to flavor many oriental and Mediterranean dishes. It is also known as Chinese parsley. Coriander is not difficult to grow, the seeds can be planted in the ground as soon as the frost season is over or they can be grown in pots. Here's how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: In the Garden
Step 1. Choose the period of the year
The best time to plant cilantro depends on where you live. Coriander does not survive in frosts, but it does not like too hot climates either. In temperate climates, the best time to plant it is in late spring, between March and May. In more tropical climates, coriander grows best if planted in the cooler and drier months of the year, such as in autumn.
If the weather is too hot, the coriander plants start running - that is, they will bloom quickly and produce seeds, so choose the right time carefully
Step 2. Prepare a spot in the garden
Choose a piece of soil where the cilantro will be exposed to the sun. The shade can be fine in the southernmost areas where the sun gets very hot during the day. The soil should be crumbly and well-drained with a pH between 6, 2 and 6, 8.
If you want to care for the soil before planting, use a shovel, rotary tiller, or spade to work 5 to 8 cm of organic mulch such as compost, rotten leaves or manure to lay on the soil surface. Level and clean with a rake before planting
Step 3. Plant the coriander seeds
Plant the seeds about 6mm deep, spaced 15 to 20cm apart. Coriander seeds need a lot of moisture to germinate, so be sure to water them often. They need about two fingers of water a week. They should germinate in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Since cilantro grows fast, you should plant a new batch of seeds every 2 to 3 weeks to make sure you always have fresh cilantro throughout the growing season
Step 4. Take care of the cilantro
Once the seedlings have reached about 5 cm in height, use water-soluble nitrogen fertilizer. Be careful not to overdo it, you need about a quarter cup of fertilizer for every 60 cm of soil.
Once the plants have settled, they don't need a lot of water. You should try to keep the soil moist, but not soaked because coriander is a herb for dry climates
Step 5. Prevent overcrowding
Stop the coriander from overcrowding by thinning out the seedlings when they are about 5 to 7 cm tall. Eliminate the smaller ones and keep the stronger ones, leaving 20-25 cm of distance between each plant. The smaller seedlings can be used in cooking and eaten.
You can also prevent weed growth by spreading mulch at the base of the plants as soon as they emerge from the ground
Step 6. Collect the cilantro
Collect cilantro by cutting individual leaves and stems from the base of the plant, close to the ground, when the plants are about 10 to 15 cm tall. Use new, fresh shoots in the kitchen, not older, fern-like leaves that have a bitter taste.
- Do not cut more than a third of the plant's leaves at a time to avoid weakening the plant.
- Once you have collected the leaves, the plant will continue to grow for at least 2 or 3 more cuts.
Step 7. Decide if you want to make the coriander plants bloom
Sooner or later the plants will start flowering. When this happens, the plant will stop producing new, fresh shoots with edible leaves. At this point someone prefers to cut the flowers in the hope that the plant will produce new leaves.
- However, if you want to harvest coriander seeds as well, you need to make the plants bloom. When the flowers are dry, you can harvest coriander seeds to use in cooking.
- Alternatively, you can naturally drop the seeds onto the ground where the coriander self-sows, guaranteeing you new plants for the next season.
Method 2 of 2: Potted
Step 1. Choose a suitable vase
Choose a flowerpot or container that is at least 45 cm wide and 20 to 25 cm deep. Coriander is not easy to move so the pots must be large enough to hold the plant when it has grown.
Step 2. Plant the seeds
Fill the pot with quick-draining soil. If you want, you can also add fertilizer. Wet the soil until it is moist but not soaked. Spread the seeds on the soil evenly. Cover with about 6mm of earth.
Step 3. Place the pot in a sunny spot
Coriander needs full sun to grow, so place the pot in a sunny window or glassed-in porch. The seeds should germinate in 7 - 10 days.
Step 4. Keep moist
Keep the soil moist by using a sprayer. The water in the soil could disperse the seeds.
Step 5. Collect the cilantro
When the stems have reached 10 to 15 cm, the coriander is ready to be harvested. Cut two thirds of the leaves every week to encourage further growth of the plant. In this way it is possible to harvest coriander 4 times from a single jar.
Advice
- Coriander is a good choice for attracting butterflies to the garden because it is one of their favorite plants, especially in the morning and in the evening.
- 'Costa Rica', 'Leisure', and 'Long Standing' are all great coriander varieties to start with as they go to seed slowly and produce a large amount of leaves.
